Demographic Variables |
   • Age < 39 years versus > 39 years, |
   • Intellectual versus physical demanding job, |
Anamnestic and Neurological Variables |
   • Acute start LSRS versus slow start, |
   • History of backpain versus no history, |
   • Influence of coughing, sneezing on complaints versus no influence, |
   • Difficulty to put on shoes and/or socks versus no difficulty, |
   • Straight leg raising ≤ 30 degrees versus > 30 degrees, |
   • Positive crossed straight leg raising sign versus negative sign, |
   • VAS-pain > 70 versus < 69 mm, |
   • Tingling/numbness in pain area versus no tingling (9), |
   • Pain leg worse by sitting versus no worsening (9), |
   • McGill affective high score versus low score, |
Radiological Variables |
   • MRI disc sequester versus contained disc herniation, |
   • MRI circumferential gadolinium enhancement versus no enhancement of disc herniation, |
   • Mediolateral versus median and lateral disc herniation, |
   • High versus low height of disc level (height 9 mm), |
Miscellaneous Variables |
   • Preference for surgery versus no preference for surgery. |
   • Disc Herniation at L5S1 vs. L4L5 |